To honor a Scots patriot

[Mike1]

David R Ross is convener of the Society of William Wallace and has written six books, including On the Trail of William Wallace. His book about his journey, For Freedom . . . Alone, will be published by Luath Press in the autumn.

THIS morning I will set off from Robroyston in Glasgow, where William Wallace was captured, on a 450-mile walk to London, the journey the great man was taken on to die. On August 22 I'll arrive at Westminster Hall, where he was tried for treason. The next day, August 23, the 700th anniversary of Wallace's execution, I'll walk the six miles that he was dragged, tied to the tails of horses, through the streets to Smithfield.

If people wish to join me for this historic section of Wallace's last hours, then they are more than welcome.

The walk will end at the Church of St Bartholomew the Greater, the oldest church in London, with a private, invitation-only commemoration of Wallace. As Wallace was executed in front of this church, it is a fitting place. It may have taken Scotland 700 years to hold a funeral service for the man, but we can ensure that he knows he is not forgotten. This will be the mourning that Wallace never had.

I will walk the 450 miles alone and well-wishers are requested to respect the fact that this is my own personal tribute to Wallace, and not accompany me. It is a long, long road, and not one to be taken lightly.

The walk is about me putting something back. Otherwise the day of his death would pass unmarked. I have trained long and brutally hard for this – it is 25 miles a day, like doing a marathon every day for three weeks. Happily, councils and towns along the route are planning civic receptions and commemorations of Wallace.

Wallace has always been there. For every single generation of Scots who crave some sort of autonomy, Wallace is seen as the father of our patriotism, and the man who died trying to hold off the incursions of an aggressive invader. Blind Harry, which told his story, was the biggest selling book after the Bible, and in the 1860s, when they laid the foundation stone for the Wallace Monument, an astonishing 90,000 people turned up to watch. Wallace reinvents himself. It was only a matter of time before cinema found him – in 1995 came Braveheart.

I honestly believe in my heart of hearts that Braveheart influenced the Yes-Yes vote. And isn't it seriously amazing that on September 11, 1297, Wallace fought the battle of Stirling Bridge, and 700 years later to the day, in 1997, the Yes-Yes vote took place?

I identify with Wallace because what goes on his heart is what goes on in my heart. People say to me: "Why are you doing this?" I'm doing it because I recognise Wallace for the patriot he was, and for the fact that when he died he was far, far from home and all alone. It's a way of saying, 700 years on, that we haven't forgotten what you did for us.

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[An t-Ileach]

The Website Siol nan Gaidheal has been talking about this for a while, and quite a few Scots will be at Parliament Square in London at 1200 on 23 August - more than a few will be wearing the kilt, I'm sure.

[Mike1]

HERE are some other news reports, as well as a link to some photos that were taken at Robroyston, as David made preparations to set off.

If anybody is interested in David's progress, I will keep updating this thread with the information I am getting.

[macwilkin]

HERE are some other news reports, as well as a link to some photos that were taken at Robroyston, as David made preparations to set off.

If anybody is interested in David's progress, I will keep updating this thread with the information I am getting.

Please do, Mike. This is a very fascinating story!

Cheers,

Todd

[Mike1]

Not much to report from Day One, other than David felt he made good progress and was not experiencing any soreness as a result of the day's walk.

If you keep checking the link I provided in the first post of this thread, you will be able to see additional pictures and updates, as they come in.

[caig]

I live in NE England and depending on your route South, you may pass close to me. Please let me have details of your itinery, and I may be able to come out and greet you.

[Graham]

I shall follow with interest also. All we could manage the other week was a climb to the top of the Walace Monument, but it was worth it.

[Mike1]

David Ross crossed the border on Saturday and has been making his way through the Lakes district. A bit of soreness each morning, but it apparently is not taking him long to walk it off. I'm told he wouldn't mind if temperatures were to drop a bit, but other than that, he's doing a great job of meeting his daily mileage quota.

Unfortunately some "other folk" decided to amuse themselves by throwing firecrackers at him, but other than that, people along the route have been supportive.

[Mike1]

He made it!

Earlier today, David Ross crossed the Thames, completing the final leg of his walk from Robroyston to London, on the Walk for Wallace.

Following the London walk and subsequent service at St. Bartholomew on Tuesday, the commemorative casket will be returned to lie in state at the Smith Art Gallery & Museum in Stirling for two weeks, prior to The Homecoming events in Lanark, on 10 & 11 September.

And yes, I'll be in Lanark! ;)

[Mike n NC]

Thank you Mike for the updates and please do keep us posted.

Mike